DEAR JOAN: Your column regarding the reader who was looking for frogs was interesting.

I have a small fountain in our backyard that attracts what we believe are tree frogs. Our problem is that the critters are very loud and do their croaking during different times in the evening.

This has become annoying to the family as well as our neighbors.

I need to know a humane method of directing the frogs away from our fountain. Do you have suggestions for me as to a way to quiet our friends, other than extermination?

T.J. DeSoto

Danville

DEAR T.J.: I don't know if it's any comfort to you, but I just received a similar letter from Rose Kallas, of Brentwood, who has been fighting the good fight against a bullfrog that has taken up residence beneath a stone in her pond. Her husband drained the pond and let it dry out for two weeks, which stopped the croaking -- until the pond was refilled.

But Rose's husband has the right idea. To get rid of frogs, you need to alter the environment. Draining your pond or fountain as well as getting rid of all standing water sources in your yard is a start.

The experts recommend leaving them empty for a week. I'd say go for broke and leave them for a month. With the heat we've been having, those frogs are going to hop on over to somewhere else, so warn your neighbors.

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This might not be a good idea if you also have a pool, because you wouldn't want to drain that and you don't want frogs doing laps with you.

If drying up your landscape isn't an option, then try closing off the water with plastic fence netting. It needs to fit securely at the bottom and be tall enough that the frogs can't hop over. You'll also need to keep a watch to make sure nothing gets tangled in it. Don't use bird netting (too flimsy) or chicken wire (the holes are too big).

Primarily, the frogs are looking for food. OK, they're also looking for love, but you can't do that on an empty stomach. Frogs eat insects, so reducing your bug population will help. This is tricky, though, because you want some bugs around for a healthy environment. You can start with reducing the mosquito population, the frog's favorite food. Get rid of stagnant water, which is a good idea anyway, and install filters or other devices that will give the water constant movement.

Turn off outside lights at night (they attract insects). Cut grass low, get rid of weeds, and remove any debris that the frogs might find damp and cozy, such as empty flower pots and piles of wood chips.

DEAR JOAN: Any idea why my hummingbird feeder turns cloudy two days after I make up my sugar water? I don't know if I am cooking it too long, using too much sugar or what.

I mix 2 cups of water to a half cup of sugar, then I heat in the microwave until it is not quite boiling, but hot enough to melt sugar. I then let it cool and hang it outside.

I only clean the feeder with vinegar and hot water. It is a fairly new glass feeder with a red plastic bottom with yellow flowers.

Cheryl Spina

San Jose

DEAR CHERYL: Don't you hate it when you do things right, and something still goes wrong? I'm guessing your feeder is hanging in the sun. When outside temperatures start to climb, the solution simply gets too hot and it turns cloudy. When that happens, hummingbirds often won't touch it.

Try hanging the feeder in a shady spot, and replace the solution every day or two. Experts also recommend boiling the water.